SOUTH Africa’s own queen of the gowns, Aunty Shamilla, will stage her first live stage performance in the UK in March.
Titled The Gown, the comedy special will run at the Leicester Square Theatre in London on March 19.
The alter ego is a character of comedian/actor Prev Reddy. He announced his UK tour last week.
Since her birth on social media and three consecutive sold-out shows in South Africa in 2019, Aunty Shamilla’s persona and taste in gowns has won her legions of fans.
In an interview with POST, Reddy said The Gown explored Shamilla’s life over the past two years, with an insight into the woman behind the gown, and the many colourful characters that surrounded her.
“This performance was something we were going to do at the beginning of 2021. Going overseas was part of the plan but then the Covid-19 pandemic happened and we didn’t really know what to expect. By 2021, we began to understand the virus a bit more. I was supposed to go in December last year but then Omicron decided to show up. We finally managed to secure the dates in March. So it’s been almost two and a half years in the making.
“The UK is my second largest audience outside of South Africa, so going there has always been part of the plan. This is going to be my first show that I am doing internationally. From putting on my own theatre productions (back in university) and performing stand-up comedy where I used to beg people to come see me on stage, to evolving with Aunty Shamilla, it really feels like a full circle moment. It is starting to dawn on me. What a big deal this actually is.”
Reddy said much like his live tour with Aunty Shamilla in 2019, The Gown was intended to give fans in the UK an opportunity to watch and engage with Aunty Shamilla in person.
“The Gown is about introducing Aunty Shamilla to the British market and internationally – her background, where she grew up and what she’s about now, like living through the Covid-19 pandemic and what’s her life like being famous.
“The thing about Aunty Shamilla that everyone enjoys, and what I’ve picked up on over the years, is that they really enjoy her point of view and her opinions and stances on certain situations.”
Reddy said the show was a mix of comedy, audience interaction and, for the first time, he would bring more alter egos on stage.
“Over the years, people have identified their favourite characters, for example, I had no idea uncle Babu had such a big fan base, so for the first time he will go on stage and tell his story about how he left Shamilla and what he thought about all of this. We will hear from characters like Saris and Devi as well.
“I will be on stage for an hour and 20 minutes as six different characters. I'm excited because the stage is like home to me. I always recall one of my earlier mentors, Themi Venturas, used to say you can never be one thing in this industry; you have to be multi-functioning as an artist in order to survive in this industry.
“I took that advice as a young artist and I’ve carried it throughout. From my studies through to today I produce and write, and am involved with marketing and branding for all my shows.”
Reddy said while Aunty Shamilla was only due on stage on March 19, he would travel in the first week of the month to visit family and friends and explore business links.
“My plan this year is to take Durban to every country I go to, to show them we are funny and we are friendly. This is the atmosphere of the show and what I hope to do this year,” said Reddy.
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